Introduction To Six Sigma

The Improve phase involves two aspects:

• Generating solutions
• Selecting solutions

Based on the analysis, the team should generate the most likely solutions to the problems under review. The team should tie the proposed solution to the root cause analysis. An outsider should be able to trace the steps and understand the rationale for the proposed solution.

Once the options are on the table the next step is to select the change option most likely to address the problem. Then the team should try out that solution and evaluate the outcome of the trial.

The final step, Control, involves going from the trial to actual implementation and then evaluating to be sure the solution will stick. Teams with those skills may use methods like control charts. However, counting noses may be all that is needed. Before the project is considered complete it should be installed and it should be working.